contract climbing - self employment

[treeman82]

So I've got my own business, but sometimes I've got a few days to spare, so I'll go to work for a couple of friends... not that many any more though as I've weeded out a couple of worthless individuals. So now it's just my business, and then I have 2 friends who will have me climb for them, and a few friends who I will help out at their own homes and that's it.

Well one friend tells me to not make any plans whatsoever for this coming Saturday because he's got a job we need to do in the morning, and then afterwards he'll help me to do a nasty tree of my own. Well today he calls saying to forget about this weekend... something came up and he can't make it... so he doesn't need my help, but he also can't help me on my own job. Another friend calls up wanting help this weekend... but now I'm busy... actually behind, because my weekender / summer people started coming back and they want work done... but my friend who needs help also needs me, and is mad that I can't go.

I really wish I had enough work to keep busy every day, and keep my one regular guy busy every day... rather than having to split him with somebody else. Not to mention the whole getting rid of these other companies. This one jump part sucks. It got me a few years back actually.

 

[Blakesmaster]

This one jump part sucks. It got me a few years back actually.

Would you mind elaborating more on that? I'm pulling my hair out trying to run my own show and help out my old boss and other guys in the bizz right now. Not enough of my own work to keep my pockets fat but this constant changing of plans keeps driving me bonkers. I kind of assumed it would just be this way for the first year or so but if you could shed some light I'd be real happy.

 

[treeman82]

A few years back I had another business... I had some work going on... enough to keep busy with a couple of guys. Little of this, little of that. Then some friends would need help with whatever it would be with their businesses... climber, or truck driver, whatever. So I'd be a good guy and would help them. Only problem was that by taking the time to help them, I'd be taking away from the time I had to work with my own customers. I'd get behind with work, or with getting stuff done, whatever. In the end, it got me.

Right now I'm behind by a few jobs... picked up a week long pruning / removal job that needs to get done ASAP. Another couple of customers want stuff done, just branches... but a few days here and there... 1 storm damage job I've been putting off for various reasons, and some other things. I need to get them done. I won't be able to get ahead / caught up on my own stuff if I'm spending time helping friends for a few bucks. This also means that I can't hire a regular guy if I'm working for somebody else.

 

[Blakesmaster]

Gotcha. I usually find a way to put my "baby" first. I don't commit to more days helping my old boss or my carpenter buddy or anyone than I "think" I'll be out of work. But who knows when that next ASAP job is gonna roll in? Problem is, I know that they need to plan too, so I don't want to put them in a bad spot if they were counting on me to be there. Do that too many times and you won't be able to find work when your gig slows down for a few weeks. Just gotta juggle, I guess, till there's enough work to keep busy full time.